From City Streets to Weekend Adventures: 2025 GMC Terrain vs. Acadia

If you’re shopping for a new GMC SUV, you may be wondering whether to get the latest GMC Terrain or Acadia. As both are well-made vehicles with up-to-date features, it’s a hard decision to make. That’s why our team at Meadowland GMC has put together this guide to help you determine which one better suits your needs. Just read on to learn more, and when you’re ready, join us on our lot in Carmel, New York, to check out your choice in person.

GMC Terrain vs Acadia: Key Differences

The main difference between the GMC Acadia and GMC T errain is their dimensions. The Acadia is a midsize SUV, making it larger than the compact Terrain. So, if you’ve got a big family or a lot of gear to haul, the Acadia might be the smarter choice. Fewer passengers or less cargo? The Terrain could be just right.

In terms of performance, the Acadia has the upper hand over its smaller sibling, as it comes equipped with a larger engine for more power. If you do more city driving, though, the Terrain might be a better pick, as it’s easier to maneuver in tight quarters, letting you negotiate the streets and parking spaces of Carmel effortlessly.

Design and Exterior Features

As they all belong to the same brand, the GMC Terrain, Acadia, and their stablemates share many exterior styling elements. This means they look somewhat similar at first glance, but a closer look reveals differences. The Acadia appears imposing and rugged with its boxy shape, upright front end, and massive grille. The 2025 GMC Terrain redesign has made the compact crossover a little more truck-like, but it still looks sleeker than the Acadia with its slightly tapered nose.

Performance and Engine Options

In the GMC Acadia vs. GMC Terrain specs comparison, the Acadia comes out on top when it comes to power. Compared to the Terrain’s lively 1.5-liter turbo-four, it features a more potent 2.5-liter turbo-four that generates a stout 328 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It comes with front-wheel drive as standard, but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive if you prefer. Its towing capacity maxes out at an impressive 5,000 pounds.

With its smaller engine, the GMC Terrain produces a respectable 175 horsepower. Front-wheel-drive models come with a continuously variable transmission, while the all-wheel-drive version gets an eight-speed automatic. When properly equipped, the Terrain is capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds, handy for lightweight trailers and campers.

While the GMC Acadia vs. Terrain size comparison doesn’t go in favor of the Terrain, this gives it certain advantages in terms of efficiency. Besides its excellent maneuverability, the front-wheel-drive Terrain delivers a solid fuel economy rating of 26 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, making it a great choice if you’re watching your gas budget. The front-wheel-drive Acadia isn’t too far behind, with 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

GMC SUV Interior and Comfort

Like other GMC vehicles, the 2025 Acadia and Terrain both feature sturdily built cabins with clean, modern styling. Nonetheless, if interior quality is a priority for you, the Acadia has a slight edge with its sport-style steering wheel and synthetic leather upholstery. If you’re looking for a truly elevated driving experience, check out the ultra-luxurious 2025 GMC Acadia Denali, which boasts perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Terrain also offers a Denali trim, but this will be released later as part of the 2026 lineup.

In terms of space, the Acadia is the obvious winner, accommodating up to eight people in three rows. The first two rows provide generous legroom and headroom, while the third is less roomy but still adult-friendly. In contrast, the Terrain seats five passengers in two rows of spacious seats. With the back row folded, the compact Terrain offers a generous 63.5 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s still significantly less than the Acadia, which gives you a whopping 97.5 cubic feet behind the first row.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Among the most notable updates of the GMC Terrain redesign is the addition of a new 15-inch touch-screen infotainment display and 11-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity comes as standard, along with a Wi-Fi hot spot and navigation.

All models of the GMC Acadia are fitted with the same touch screen and gauge cluster found in the new Terrain. They also offer several additional tech features, including a wireless device charger and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. For an even better in-car experience, you can get upgrades such as HD radio, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 16-speaker Bose audio system for first-class sound.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Both the 2025 GMC Terrain and the 2025 GMC Acadia are equipped with plenty of driver-assistance technologies to make your journeys safer and stress-free. As a family-oriented vehicle, the midsize Acadia provides more comprehensive protection with an extensive list of driver aids.

Standard active safety features on the Acadia include forward-collision alert, pedestrian monitoring, blind-zone steering assistance, forward and reverse automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure alert, automated high beams, parking sensors, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, HD surround vision, and teen-driver monitoring. For even more protection and convenience, you can opt for the available hands-free Super Cruise driving system.

The Terrain comes with enhanced automated emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, blind-zone steering assistance, and reverse automated braking as standard. Available upgrades include rain-sensing windshield wipers, a 360-degree camera system, and a rear camera mirror.

Test-Drive the 2025 GMC Terrain and Acadia in Carmel, New York

Will you choose the larger, more powerful Acadia or the comfortable, confident Terrain? There’s plenty to think about, but the best way to find out which SUV is more suitable for you is to experience them first-hand. At Meadowland GMC, our team is ready and waiting to answer your questions and set you up for a test-drive. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and find your perfect SUV.

Image from gmc.com

Tags: GMC Acadia, GMC Comparison, GMC SUV, GMC Terrain
Posted in GMC Vehicles | No Comments »